Must I give to charity?
Recently I was accosted through my phone by a caller from my old university who was intent on raising funds for future students. The fundraiser was a skilled talker who used her voice, tone and purring words to ingratiate herself with me over the course of ten minutes. I wasn’t going to hang up.
She also had some highly emotive stories about poor kids who had benefitted from the university’s scholarships, including a personal friend and an eminent scientist, and, finally, my earnest caller urged me to help to make the world a better place by allowing the potential of all people to be fulfilled through paying £1,000 over two years.
However, I was not interested in making the world a better place (I would prefer to find someone to sponsor through university rather than paying into a fund) and my admission of that conviction soured our relationship. My caller’s voice became strained, although her words remained pleasant, as she asked me if my reluctance to pay came from my lack of money at the moment or “a more fundamental objection”. I persevered with my line: “I don’t believe in the idea”, yet my companion reinterpreted this objection to mean that I wasn’t comfortable with paying. Perhaps I had financial problems that I didn’t want to admit?
And so our talk ended unsatisfactorily and I doubt she’ll call me back. Shame.
Perhaps my reluctance to give away my money came from my past experiences with charities. Once, I was stopped in Glasgow by a ‘charity mugger’ for a wildlife charity who beseeched me to save the planet by providing habitats for endangered animals. This man was very good at his job and I was quite naïve. I agreed to give £15 a month to the charity. I was reasonably happy with my gift; there was no feeling of buyer’s remorse from me. However, I happened to run into that same man about two months later when he was drinking in town with friends. He told me that he had no sincerity in his interactions with the public and that he didn’t give money to the wildlife charity or to any other charity.
Now, I could have cancelled my subscription at any time to release myself from a sense of responsibility for the environment created in me by an insincere chugger, but I didn’t. I allowed four months to pass before I cancelled my subscription. And what were the benefits of my giving? I suppose that the charity was able to do some good with my money, although the situation for the world’s wildlife is probably worse now than it was six years ago due to factors beyond their control. It could be that the money was wasted: it failed to achieve what I had wanted it to. However, there were psychological benefits for me since I felt happy because I had been generous. The belief that I was helping animals did lift my mood.
Evidently, giving money to charities may be ineffective in achieving whatever it is that you want to achieve. The animals will still be endangered, the homeless will still be homeless, cancers will continue to kill, the children could be irreparably damaged already, various groups will endure yet more persecution. This is the point at which many people throw their hands in the air and refuse to pay into speculative projects to help particular causes. They do have a good case and they will not lose money through their choice. There is nothing wrong with saying no. It is a sensible choice that is unfairly criticised as showing selfishness.
My argument is not against such people per se. Instead, I want to encourage people to research the charities and their chances of succeeding in their goals before they commit to giving money. It is sensible to avoid speculative giving. You should at least read about the charity through their website or any other literature that you have about them before committing to giving any money. You should know how much you will give to charity annually and also how long your giving will last.
Nor do I agree with those who argue that it is one’s duty to give to charity simply because one is able to do so. I see giving to charity as a personal choice which may be done out of virtue, but virtues are not duties; they must be chosen and cannot be forced onto someone. Moreover, the tax systems in the UK do take money from workers for the purpose of providing essential services for everyone (including the NHS) and so all of us who work in the UK are already giving a substantial percentage of our income to charitable purposes.
I have taken charitable giving into account for my budget and I have decided that the money I’ll give this year will not exceed 5% of my total income. Personally, I donate regularly to a cancer charity and I have given one-off donations to a Christian charity, wildlife charities, and special causes that have come to my attention such as the Stephanie Inglis case. Additionally, I have decided to give to charities when shopping online by registering on the easy fundraising website, which is a form of passive giving. In each case I have had a clear idea of how much I would give and why I wanted to give that much.
In short, I do not allow myself to be harried into my decisions by feelings of guilt or out of a sense that I am required to give something. Neither should you. Instead it is sensible to investigate your options carefully and only donate to something that you believe in and that you think will be effective.
Hey Will,
I received exactly the same from our old university asking me to contribute to a fund providing scholarships to less fortunate students a few months back. I am not against this idea in principle but I felt being guilt tripped on the phone was not going to entice me to donate. Although I am curious if the University itself is contributing to this supposed fund, given how profitable the sector has become in recent years …
Hi Jason,
I think that the university I went to is also contributing as they are under certain pressures from the Scottish Government to prove that they are making provisions for disadvantaged students. However, I haven’t found the numbers to prove anything. Your instincts are the same as mine as I too felt that I was being guilt-tripped.
Exactly, I even received a request for a donation from our old high school, asking us to contribute to a new building of some sort. I can’t help but feel our parents paid enough in tuition all those years…
Deference to op, some great entropy.
me encantei com este site. Para saber mais detalhes acesse o site e descubra mais. Todas as informações contidas são conteúdos relevantes e únicos. Tudo que você precisa saber está ta lá.
I’d have to check with you here. Which is not something I usually do! I take pleasure in reading a publish that may make individuals think. Also, thanks for permitting me to remark!
Can I just say what a reduction to find someone who truly is aware of what theyre talking about on the internet. You positively know how to bring an issue to mild and make it important. Extra individuals need to learn this and understand this aspect of the story. I cant imagine youre no more fashionable because you undoubtedly have the gift.
I am curious to find out what blog system you’re working with? I’m experiencing some minor security issues with my latest blog and I’d like to find something more safeguarded. Do you have any suggestions?
WONDERFUL Post.thanks for share..more wait .. …
Great post however , I was wondering if you could write a litte more on this topic? I’d be very grateful if you could elaborate a little bit further. Thank you!
Very efficiently written article. It will be beneficial to everyone who utilizes it, as well as yours truly :). Keep up the good work – i will definitely read more posts.
Hi there! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any problems with hackers? My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing many months of hard work due to no data backup. Do you have any methods to prevent hackers?
356059 302634Wonderful beat ! I would like to apprentice whilst you amend your internet site, how can i subscribe for a blog site? The account helped me a applicable deal. I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided shiny transparent idea. 568687
596636 270139How do I know if a WordPress theme supports a subscribe option? 421044
566694 862730I like this site because so considerably valuable material on here : D. 885493
6387 536067Spot on with this write-up, I truly suppose this internet site needs much more consideration. probably be once more to learn way a lot more, thanks for that info. 676515
307089 866882I truly prize your piece of work, Wonderful post. 215556
785695 469740Oh my goodness! an incredible article dude. Thank you Nonetheless Im experiencing challenge with ur rss . Don know why Unable to subscribe to it. Is there anyone obtaining comparable rss drawback? Anybody who knows kindly respond. Thnkx 264240
767294 508614Oh my goodness! an superb article dude. Thanks a lot Even so Im experiencing dilemma with ur rss . Do not know why Struggle to register for it. Can there be any person obtaining identical rss problem? Anyone who knows kindly respond. Thnkx 627642
612849 41332Hey there! Great post! Please when all could see a follow up! 549385
521857 668539Nie and informative post, your every post worth atleast something. 909167
33447 686734I usually cant discover it in me to care enough to leaves a comment for articles on the internet but this was really pretty very good, thanks and maintain it up, Ill check back again 795631
843091 806460I truly treasure your piece of function, Wonderful post. CHECK ME OUT BY CLICKING MY NAME!!! 63641
87510 812805Hi, have you ever before asked yourself to write about Nintendo or PSP? 156110
879293 299694A persons Are typically Weight loss is undoubtedly a practical and flexible an eating program method manufactured for people who suffer that want to weight loss and therefore ultimately conserve a significantly a lot more culture. weight loss 922942
202078 530361I would like to see much more posts like this!.. Wonderful blog btw! reis Subscribed.. 916854
Outstanding post, you have pointed out some excellent details , I likewise think this s a very superb website.
517874 196139I do not have a bank account how can I place the order? 367312
768450 617650Many thanks for sharing this fine piece. Really fascinating ideas! (as always, btw) 256103
683021 456271i just didnt require a kindle at first, but when receiving one for christmas im utterly converted. It supply genuine advantages more than a book, and makes it such a great deal additional convenient. i may possibly undoubtedly advocate this item: 984664
248264 325755Ive just been talking to Sean Gallagher about his upcoming Instant Income Cash Machine course, and hes been kind enough to fill me in on some details regarding his upcoming course. 440043
816010 819982I agree completely with what you said. Wonderful Stuff. Maintain it going.. 495465
743611 371326Register a domain, search for available domains, renew and transfer domains, and choose from a wide variety of domain extensions. 884680
978561 808339I was suggested this internet website by my cousin. Im not positive whether this post is written by him as nobody else know such detailed about my dilemma. Youre incredible! Thanks! 74383
407834 372831Im agitated all these article directories. It sure would be nice to have every post directory that instantly accepts articles. 79522
82880 658066I want to start a blog but would like to own the domain. Any suggestions how to go about this?. 552187
945347 11983Some truly fantastic content material on this internet website , appreciate it for contribution. 390152
51803 75062Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive learn something like this before. So very good to search out any person with some distinctive thoughts on this subject. realy thanks for starting this up. this website is one thing thats wanted on the net, somebody with a bit originality. valuable job for bringing one thing new to the internet! 7082
978619 658362Ill appropriate away grasp your rss feed as I cant in finding your e-mail subscription hyperlink or e-newsletter service. Do youve any? Please let me understand so that I could subscribe. Thanks. 348513
66150 627764Spot up for this write-up, I seriously believe this internet site needs a whole lot far more consideration. Ill apt to be once more to learn additional, appreciate your that information. 208204
203995 791863The website loading pace is incredible. 328119
172757 66573Some truly marvelous work on behalf with the owner of this internet website , dead wonderful topic matter. 750830
299711 351173Can I basically say exactly what a relief to get someone who truly knows what theyre dealing with on the internet. You really know how to bring a difficulty to light and make it essential. The diet should see this and fully grasp this side on the story. I cant believe youre not a lot more common because you undoubtedly hold the gift. 968533
584697 881175When I saw this page was like wow. Thanks for putting your effort in publishing this write-up. 566862
231762 401512Id always want to be update on new content on this site , saved to fav! . 328451
553657 397309There is noticeably a bundle comprehend this. I suppose you made specific good points in functions also. 639664
100575 85677Excellently written post, doubts all bloggers offered the identical content since you, the internet has to be far greater place. Please stay the top! 708286
428184 76482I like this weblog really significantly, Its a rattling nice billet to read and discover information . 316689
461250 24530I want going to comment as this posts a bit old now, but just wanted to say thanks. 989486
746254 875626Most what i read online is trash and copy paste but i feel you offer something different. Keep it like this. 499619
Hi there, You’ve done a great job. I will certainly digg it and personally suggest to my friends. I am sure they will be benefited from this site.
Pretty section of content. I simply stumbled upon your web site and in accession capital to say that I acquire actually loved account your weblog posts. Anyway I will be subscribing on your augment and even I fulfillment you access consistently fast.
http://j.tribesmind.com/hidden-strike-2023-hindi-dubbed-full-movie-watch-online-free-download-18328 – Hidden Strike (Hindi Dubbed)
http://odssq.myattractioncoach.com/rol/50768/brandi-love/ – 08:04 / 21.11.2015 Brandi Love
I enjoy your writing style really loving this internet site.
I view something really special in this web site.
Great ?V I should definitely pronounce, impressed with your site. I had no trouble navigating through all the tabs as well as related info ended up being truly easy to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it in the least. Reasonably unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or something, website theme . a tones way for your client to communicate. Nice task..
Hi! This is kind of off topic but I need some help from an established blog. Is it hard to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty fast. I’m thinking about setting up my own but I’m not sure where to start. Do you have any ideas or suggestions? Thank you
I’ve been absent for a while, but now I remember why I used to love this web site. Thank you, I’ll try and check back more frequently. How frequently you update your web site?
I like this web site because so much utile stuff on here : D.
I gotta bookmark this internet site it seems very beneficial very beneficial
I really appreciate this post. I’ve been looking everywhere for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You’ve made my day! Thank you again
Thank you for the good writeup. It in truth was a entertainment account it. Look advanced to far added agreeable from you! However, how can we be in contact?
I visited a lot of website but I believe this one contains something extra in it in it
I’ve read a few good stuff here. Definitely worth bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how a lot effort you put to create the sort of great informative website.
I wish to show my respect for your kind-heartedness supporting men who require help on in this topic. Your very own dedication to getting the message all-around had become unbelievably effective and have without exception encouraged professionals like me to achieve their desired goals. Your entire insightful instruction signifies so much to me and somewhat more to my office colleagues. Best wishes; from each one of us.
You are my intake, I own few web logs and sometimes run out from post :). “Actions lie louder than words.” by Carolyn Wells.
Thanx for the effort, keep up the good work Great work, I am going to start a small Blog Engine course work using your site I hope you enjoy blogging with the popular BlogEngine.net.Thethoughts you express are really awesome. Hope you will right some more posts.
I used to be very pleased to seek out this internet-site.I wished to thanks for your time for this excellent read!! I undoubtedly enjoying each little little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you blog post.